Nectarine tree named ‘Nectaprima’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated ‘Nectaprima’, has fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Variety denomination: ‘Nectaprima’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2004-0708 filed on Apr. 27, 2004 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, Prunus persica var. nucipersica, which has been given the variety denomination ‘Nectaprima’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. Contrast is made to ‘Maillara’ (Big Bang®), ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) and ‘Armking’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Nectaprima’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an early flowering, fruit with very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and so a very durable fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

‘Nectaprima’ nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it was tested. The male parent was ‘Armking’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) nectarine tree and the female parent was ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) nectarine tree. ‘Nectaprima’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, as 01.01.02.00 NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 17, 2003 under number 1014083. It was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms in March at Perpignan in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, it blooms at the same time as ‘Maillara’ (Big Bang®) variety, 3 days before ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) variety, between 2^(nd) and 16^(th) of March.

The first fruit of ‘Nectaprima’ nectarine tree ripens in early June 7 days before the first fruit of ‘Maillara’ (Big Bang®) variety, nearly one month before the first fruit of ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®) variety. More particularly, it approximately ripens between June 1^(st) and 12^(th).

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which depicts the reverse and side view of the flower and the reproductive organs with petals removed of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruit of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical leaves; a dorsal view of a single leaf, two whole fruit sufficiently mature for harvesting and shipment; and a third fruit which has been cut in half with the pit being left in one of the halves for depicting fruit flesh, pit cavity and stone of the new variety. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Nectaprima’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and its very early ripening.

Trees are vigorous and medium to large stature half-standing in a semi-spread out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower is showy with relative medium petal size. Petals are pale pink. Leaf glands are present and round. Time of maturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is yellow; its skin is thick and very red. The stone has a small to medium size and the flesh is very adherent.

Compared to ‘Armking’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,943) variety. ‘Nectaprima’ has approximately the same time of maturity, 2 days before, although the red coloration is higher, more than 90%. Shelf life of fruit is long instead of being short.

Compared to ‘Zaitabo’ (Big Top®), fruit of ‘Nectaprima’ ripens later, approximately 16 days before, and have a longest shelf life. Number of flowers is bigger, approximately more than 50 flowers per square meter.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the promological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the second fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations have been made on rootstock cultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Color Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

-   Tree: -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium large as compared to other             common commercial nectarine cultivars. The tree size the             first year was approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned             during each following dormant season to a height of             approximately 250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could             reach 80 cm. So the tree size from the second year (second             and next years) reached a final height of 330 cm with             current seasons shots length comprised.         -   Spread.—Approximately 1.0 meter. The whole orchard was             oriented to a central leader organisation, with tree lines             spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1 meter in a same             tree line.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. The present variety grew from             about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first growing             season. For second and following seasons, the variety was             pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.         -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by             thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired             market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with             the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices             employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not             distinctive of the present variety.         -   Bearer.—Very regular. An important thinning of 2 fruits on 3             was necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was             necessary every year during the past 5 years.         -   Form.—The ‘Nectaprima’ variety has naturally a semi-spread             shape.         -   Density.—Considered medium dense and dense.         -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in             France. The variety appears to be hardy under typical             central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.             Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling             requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours             showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages             were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12             degrees Celsius. The tree was also very resistant to frosty             springtime weather. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately between 8.5 cm and 9.5 cm in             diameter when measured at a distance of approximately 30 cm             above the soil level, on trees from the second growing             season. The branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present on trees from the             second growing season. The lenticels range in size from             approximately 4.0 millimeters to 7.0 millimeters in width,             and from 2.0 millimeters to 2.8 millimeters in height.         -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey             color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the             inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).         -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little             more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C             to RHS Black 202 C). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Mature branches as well as current season shoots are             medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.             The current season shoots have a diameter from 3.0 to 6.0             millimeters, and branches of trees from the second growing             season have a diameter comprised between 25.0 and 35.0             millimeters.         -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old             has no furrowed appearance.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but             the crotch angles are generally about 70 degrees from the             horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not             considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Generally 30.0 to 45.0 millimeters.         -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199             A). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A-B) on lower part of new             shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored in             brown-orange (RHS Greyed Orange 173 B-C-D). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered large for the species. Leaf measurements             have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season             growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio leaf             length/leaf width is above 4.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 140.0 to 180.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 28.0 to 43.0 millimeters.         -   Leaf base shape.—Slightly oblique relative to the leaf             longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).         -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).         -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C).         -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.         -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.         -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform. -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 6.0 to about 10.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Light yellow green (RHS Yellow Green 144 D to 144 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0             millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally two glands per margin side. It is possible             to find occasionally tree glands per margin side.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a             pale green (RHS Green 144 B). On older leaves, leaf glands             color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. -   Flowers: -   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by sepals, is of purple-brown color             (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by petals, is             generally of pale pink color (RHS Red Purple 69 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of flowering. The             buds are considered hardy under typical central Pyrénées             Orientales departement climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last             several years of evaluation in the central Pyrénées             Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as low as             −12° C. in December or January. The current variety has not             been intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but             the variety showed a very good resistance in orchard to             temperatures up to 42° C. with an average temperature             between 28° C. and 30° C. during 3 weeks in summer.         -   Date of bloom.—Generally early March. The first bloom,             observed on Feb. 21, 2002, was exceptionally early. Second             and third bloom took place respectively on Mar. 6, 2003 and             Mar. 2, 2004.         -   Blooming time.—Considered early-season in relative             comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in             the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of             full bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom varies             slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.             Thus the first full bloom was observed on Mar. 1, 2002,             second full bloom on Mar. 13, 2003, and third full bloom on             Mar. 9, 2004.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 15 days. This             characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic             conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—Considered medium. Flower diameter at full             bloom is approximately 31.0 to 36.0 millimeters.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered very abundant, approximately 50             flowers per meter.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species.         -   Length.—Generally about 19.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Generally about 18.0 millimeters.         -   Petal form.—Rounded.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Pale Pink (RHS Red Purple 69 C) when young,             darkening with advancing senescence.         -   Fragrance.—Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a             slightly rounded extremity.         -   Length.—Approximately 8.0 to 10.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.         -   Petal margins.—Generally slightly undulated. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip,             dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium and having an average length of             approximately 3.0 to 5.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 B to C). -   Floral nectaries:     -   -   Color.—A flat golden orange (approximately RHS Greyed Red             178 C-B). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of             Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Average.         -   Color.—A flat Red (approximately RHS Greyed Red 178 A).         -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately             comprised between 70 and 100 stamens per flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed             Purple 178 A Group). Anthers are becoming yellow at             maturity.         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B-C). The present             variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 11.0 to 16.0             millimeters in length. In all cases filament's length is             superior or equal to pistil's length.         -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple             62 C-D). -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 21.0 millimeters including the             ovary; Smaller or equal to filament's length.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow             Green 150 D Group to RHS Yellow Green 151 D Group).         -   Surface texture.—Glabrous. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—Jun. 1, 2003.         -   Date of last picking.—Jun. 11, 2003. The date of harvest             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The             ‘Nectaprima’ variety has a very early date of picking, and a             grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in 12 days were necessary. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium to large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 66.0 to 70.0             millimeters.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 65.0 to 70.0             millimeters.         -   Typical weight.—Generally 150.0 grams, but can range from             130.0 grams to 200.0 grams. This characteristic is high             dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and             therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in             symmetry, viewed from pistil end.         -   Fruit suture.—Very shallow and smooth, extending from the             base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists             along the suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has generally a color similar to the whole fruit             color, a dark red (RHS Red 53 A). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—Non prominent, slightly depressed, very small.         -   Base.—Shallow.         -   Stem cavity.—Generally slightly elongated in the suture             plane. Average depth of the stem cavity is about 1.10 cm.             Average width is about 2.40 cm. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and very             tenacious to the flesh to tenacious to the flesh depending             on stage of maturity.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally dark red (RHS Red             53 A) and homogenous. The red blush covers more than 90%,             until 100%, of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the             blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally             dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the             fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—Dark red (RHS Red 53 A).         -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 8.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145A to 145 B). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenous, slow.         -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, juicy at harvest maturity             stage.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and spicy.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is elevated and             acidity is comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor             is considered spicy.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally between 11.0 degrees to 13.0 degrees, it is             possible to find fruits with a brix superior to 13.0             degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number             of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the             surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Entirely yellow (RHS Yellow 16 C). -   Stone:     -   -   Type.—Clingstone.         -   Size.—Considered small to medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 32.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 26.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 21.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Elliptic.         -   Base.—Usually rounded. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small sharp tip.         -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form             and dimensions corresponding to stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.             The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent             generally and present basally.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 3.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Full and heavily grooved.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered a light reddish brown (RHS Greyed Orange 164 D to             164 C).         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is absent or very low,             depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and             stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.         -   Length.—About 16.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—About 10.5 millimeters.         -   Thickness.—About 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is brown-orange (RHS Greyed Orange             167 D) with darker brown-orange streaks (RHS Greyen Orange             N167 B). The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D).             The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘Nectaprima’ is considered to be a     nectarine tree of the very early season of maturity, and which     produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively colored.     Fruits are excellent for uncooked consumption, crunchy or at full     maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can     also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or     fruit in bags for example). And they are also useful for both local     and very long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed a little more than one week     on tree before harvest and then, has stored well more than 4 weeks     after harvest at 2.0 degree Celsius. They have a slow maturation and     a long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new     nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packaging     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit 3 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by fruit of very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very high percentage of red blush. 